How browsers make money, or why Google needs Firefox

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Whenever we write a glowing story about Firefox or Mozilla, the ExtremeTech postbag has a tendency to fill up with letters and missives from concerned readers who are worried about Mozilla’s close ties with Google. Almost the entirety of Mozilla’s income — 97% of $104 million — arrives in the form of royalties from the Firefox search box, and the lion’s share (86%, $85 million) of those royalties are paid by the default search engine: Google.

In November 2011, however, Mozilla’s contract with Google will expire. It will then be renewed… or it will be allowed to lapse.

It is speculated, mostly by tech pundits, that considering the sheer amount of effort that it’s putting into shoving Chrome down our throats, it would not be in Google’s best interests to re-sign with Mozilla. After all, Chrome is one of the largest cogs in the Google machine, and Firefox is its strongest competitor. Why should Big G continue to bolster the saurians of Mountain View when Firefox is stealing and preventing users from installing Chrome?

For one simple reason: money. While it’s true that Mozilla strongly relies on Google’s royalties, don’t forget that Google is completely reliant on search traffic: of the $8.58 billion revenue earned by Google in the first quarter of 2011, 97% of it is derived from advertising. In other words, Google’s status as the default search engine for the majority of 450 million Firefox users directly translates into millions — and possibly billions — of dollars of revenue. It’s the same story with Opera, which regularly holds an auction for its default search engine: search traffic is worth big bucks.

Of course you could argue that Google would be better off spending its $85 million on advertising Chrome or Android, but you have to remember that $85 million is the tiniest drop in Google’s sales and marketing bucket. In the first quarter of 2011 alone, Google spent over $1 billion on ads, almost double what it spent in the first quarter of 2010. If you extrapolate that out to a total of $4 billion for the year of 2011, Mozilla’s $85 million makes up 2% of Google’s total sales and marketing spend. In all likelihood, Firefox is probably the cheapest source of traffic that Google has.

Google’s other problem comes in the shape of Microsoft Bing, which might be making a huge loss ($2.6 billion last year!) but it’s also gaining significant traction both in the US and worldwide territories. If Google fails to renew its contract with Mozilla, do you think that Microsoft would blink an eye at spending $85 million for the majority share of Firefox’s 450 million surfers?

A better question to pose, however, is to turn the entire premise on its head and ask whether Mozilla wants to renew the contract with Google. For the most part, Google and Mozilla have very similar interests, but in recent months some fractures have started to show. Back in 2010, one of Mozilla’s noisiest bigwigs, Asa Dotzler, famously renounced Google because of its poor privacy policy, and started using Bing instead. At the time this wasn’t a big deal, but Dotzler is now the Director of Firefox Desktop — and when November rolls around, it’s safe to assume that he might vote for Bing to replace Google as the default search engine.

If this actually happens — if Bing is suddenly the default search engine for hundreds of millions of surfers — then we’re talking about a monumental shift that would probably redefine the web. To put it into perspective, Microsoft has spent billions on scraping away just a few percent of Google’s massive share to land itself with under 4% of the global search market. For $85 million — or whatever Mozilla decides to charge, because it could charge almost anything — Bing could bolster its global share to 10, 15, or maybe 20%. Google, in return, would lose huge swaths of its market and millions — or billions — of dollars in advertising revenue.

To conclude, Firefox has absolutely no need to worry about its revenue stream. It is Google’s single biggest source of search traffic, and one of the most important components of its entire business — losing Firefox would be a massive blow for Google, not the other way around. More importantly, however, if Bing becomes Firefox’s default search engine in November, the world would finally have a second search engine that might be able to stand up to the overwhelming and indomitable force of Google’s web supremacy.

There would be a beautiful poetic justice if Firefox drops Google, too. Back in 2003 when Mozilla and Firefox first emerged, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer owned 95% of the browser market. Mozilla single-handedly destroyed IE over the next five years and reinvented the web in the process — and now, almost 10 years on, Mozilla might return the favor and help Microsoft break Google’s monopoly.

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http://twitter.com/james_lue James Lue

“Bing could bolster its global share to 10, 15, or maybe 20%”
Interesting article, but you’re assuming that everyone using Firefox would blindly start using Bing if the default search setting was switched. I think most users who are enlightened enough to use Firefox, will also be enlightened enough to switch their default search setting back to Google if they so desire.

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

Yep, very true — but that was kind of built into my rationale of ’10, 15, 20%.’ There are certainly lots of pro Firefox users who will customise their search engine… but there are millions and millions of mom-and-pop Firefox users, too.

Bear in mind that Mozilla would never switch to Bing unless it made sense for surfers, too — but as I understand it, Bing is a very viable alternative. In the US at least, anyway.

If Mozilla decides to switch providers away from Google, how did Google try to kill anything? Google’s money is the main reason why the Mozilla foundation has operated for years.

Anonymous

I was talking about if google decides not to make a deal just to force people to chrome

Anonymous

There is atleast one thing people forget about Mozilla. For atleast 5 years now their financial report says things like the 2009 report: revenues $104 million, expenses $61 million. What does this mean ? They earn almost twice as much money than they are spending.

Also people care about Mozilla, many people are willing to donate money to the cause if need be.

Anonymous

What % of share comes from bowser’s search boxes though?
IE7, 8 and 9 come with a search box and bing as default, and even though these 3 have 40+% market share bing only has 4%

I would say that most IE users are mom-and-pop users but they either manage to change their default search box to google or most users dont use the box and go straight to google.com

Anonymous

only like 30% of people would change it, you have no idea how many computer clueless people use the internet everyday.

I know PHd’s in Biology who take 4 days to figure out how to change their name on Facebook.

It’s not a matter of people being smart, it’s a matter of not everybody growing up like you playing video games and using computers. There’s still a lot of fear into using computers in 2011, crazy but it’s true.

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

You hit the nail on the head, Mr Gubatron.

This is always a problem on tech blogs — unless we write for the 1 or 2% of tech geeks that actually read tech blogs, we attract a lot of negative/naysaying comments.

A lot of tech geeks just have troubles seeing the world through the eyes of the 98% of other internet users. I suspect that’s a fairly common thing amongst all experts, though. It takes a fairly special person to be able to see multiple angles/facets of a problem.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HSHTSXRLRVGFKXH5CGIFIR3DAU Fast Turtle

One thing we techs tend to forget is that most people look at computers like a car. Simply put gas in it and go somewheres. They couldn’t care less and no it doesn’t matter how smart/educated people are, they simply want to put the key in and go to the store.

The only reason that the alternative browsers have gained any real market share is due to the EU judgement that forced MS to offer a choice of browsers during the first system sign-on. Otherwise people wouldn’t care unless they’re already familiar with Firefox, Opera, Maxthon or the others that are offered and we as techs need to keep that in mind.

Anonymous

Where is the offer to switch browser in MS? I can’t find on my Windows 7

Anonymous

the clueless are probably not using firefox because they don’t know the difference between a website and a browser. and they don’t know how to download a new browser. many of the clueless are still stuck in aol.

http://twitter.com/JohnAnderson98 John Anderson

This made me laugh. But it’s true. The really savvy using something like Boounce.

Anonymous

Lynx FTW!

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HSHTSXRLRVGFKXH5CGIFIR3DAU Fast Turtle

The main problem there, is that people don’t use the IE search box. Instead they tend to go directly to Bing or Google and search from there instead. To many people, Google has become the Web, just as AOL used to be to many.

Anonymous

Thats what I’m saying, most average users go straight to the website, so bing as the default engine in the Firefox search box wont give bing “10, 15, or maybe 20%” share

Anonymous

Your mom and pop FF users theory is flawed. The sort of user that sticks to just what they are given have a different name “internet explorer users”. Even if for some strange reason some FF users couldnt figure out how to change the default engine in the search bar, they are not going to be dumb enough to to not notice how rubbish bing is in comparison, and will just navigate to google.com in the first place.

Lets face it Googles not dominant just because its in a FF search bar, its dominant because people en masse do not yet see a worthy replacement. The only reason i use the FF bar to search on Google is purely because it saves a second or two in real time by not having to get to google.com to search first. As I am sure is the reason most FF users interact with the search bar at all!

http://twitter.com/djst David Tenser

Of course, even if the default engine was switched, it wouldn’t affect already existing Firefox users. There’s no way Mozilla would forcefully change engine for existing installs.

http://my.opera.com/rafaelluik Rafael

They can via update. It happens in Opera, if the user haven’t edited the search engine it is updated, the profile’s search.ini file only contain the changes while a master search.ini on Opera installation folder has the defaults.

http://twitter.com/loyals Imran Jafri

made the similar point here too. http://maboot.com/i-am-not-ready-for-bing-as-default-search-engine-on-firefox-and-i-am-not-alone/2433/

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

Yeah! I finally read it.

I think it’s unlikely that Bing would become the default search engine in Firefox — certainly worldwide, anyway. It’s very possible that Moz might do a trial run in the US, though.

We’ll see!

Adrian

Those people who you installed FireFox to their computer would not notice one bit

inspirationmage

It is hard for me to tell which search engine is even better these days, and in all honestly, IE9 is actually a nice experience, perhaps even better than Chrome. Not that I am one iota of pro Microsoft, just saying.

Zam Zar

I’m such a diehard Google fan that even if there were an option to switch back to Google (and I used Firefox, I actually use Chrome), I would switch browsers because I don’t think they can make good decisions.

http://21echoes.blogspot.com/ David

this kind of blind fanaticism is ridiculous. in brandless search results studies, the two engines perform nearly identically. I prefer Google as well (for its proximity to other features like gmail, etc.), but dropping a browser because you’re bummed over a minor business decision (the only real business decision Mozilla has to make, as a non-profit) and you can’t be bothered to take the 2 seconds to change it is… crazy.

if you drop firefox, when google makes some decision you don’t like in the future, you may not have an option to switch to.

http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf

Yup, but there’s a reason that their search results are nearly identical – Microsoft blatantly copies Google search results. Google “hiybbprqag” – or use Bing, it’ll give you the same answer. :-D

That’s a fake word Google created search results on that didn’t exist elsewhere on the net. Waited a few days, and miraculously identical results appeared in Bing for no reason.

http://gordonf.pip.verisignlabs.com/ Gordon

If by no reason you mean that the search term was entered into the IE toolbar after opting-in to send information to Microsoft; then, umm, yeah I guess so.

http://drgeorge.org/ ricegf

Did you read any of the links? They’ll explain Google’s “sting” – creating imaginary words for which Bing returned nada, linking them in Google Search to a specific page chosen at random, and having 10 staff members subsequently use virgin laptops with Windows and IE installed to google the imaginary word a few times and click on the specific link. Within a few days, typing the imaginary word into Bing returned the same specific page that Google had chosen as the only suggestion.

Thus caught red-handed, Microsoft admitted copying Google results as a strategy to optimize their search engine results (imitation being the most sincere form of flattery, I suppose), but since it’s not illegal (but IMHO merely unethical) they had no plans to change their strategy.

I was merely noting that the op’s comment that “the two engines perform nearly identically” is a specific Microsoft design “feature”, not a coincidence or inevitable outcome.

Explaining the joke kinda weakens the punch, though, doesn’t it? :-D

Anonymous

oh, srry :$
was kind of in a hurry

Perumal N

@openid-97971:disqus I completely agree with you. Even I am a long time user of chrome, in fact one of those early adopter who switched from FF to chrome but I just don’t like the idea of MONOPOLY. hence even the little possibility of Google trying to play monopoly should be avoided right away.

http://twitter.com/codepo8 Christian Heilmann

So you already switched and you say that you would switch again if something changes in the product you don’t use any more. Yep, sounds like a fan to me :) It is good to share.

http://www.TheGuruReview.net TGR

I would love to see Firefox use Bing as a search engine. It’s always good to switch things up.

You need to note that Google doesn’t loose money on its firefox searches. Google pays Mozilla and when user search with Google they make their money back.

Firefox will not lose their users if google decides not to pay them. There will still be millions of firefox users generating searches and profits for whatever company decides to pay them. It’s like if Nike decides not to sponsor the NBA because it will take viewers away from their sponsorship with the NFL.

Anonymous

Google actually wins a lot more money than they give to Mozilla.
It’s a good business for them. Contract will be renewed, no a doubt

http://twitter.com/james_lue James Lue

That’s a really interesting point, sid32, because in all likelihood, most Firefox users will still use Google even if the search default is switched to Bing.

Then Microsoft would be paying Firefox for the default switch, but Google will still get most of the traffic. No one loses except Microsoft (which is one more reason why Firefox isn’t going to switch to Bing).

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MHN3OVIYWGTHW7TCTGOAKY7WNM William M

Maybe Firefox should actually fix bugs with the truck load of google money.

I have to recommend ie8 because of Mozilla’s lack of effort to fix basic printing problems.

Anonymous

Post it 10 more times, lol.
I’ll just mention that Firefox is regularly noted as the most stable browser between Chrome Opera Safari IE and, well, Firefox.

Anonymous

It was, yes. But now the focus at Firefox is on following fads.

http://twitter.com/codepo8 Christian Heilmann

this blog must be huge, there is an echo

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

We are HUGE my friend!

Anonymous

If that bug was so “critical”, most people would complain about it. Since they don’t, it seems you are an ass who tries to blow up trivial stuff to become “critical.”

Stupid.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_MHN3OVIYWGTHW7TCTGOAKY7WNM William M

Maybe firefox should be using the truckload of google money to acutally
fix bugs and make a better browser.

I still have to use ie8 since mozilla hasn’t bothered to fix a critical printing bug
for many many many years….

Anonymous

maybe you should file the bug instead of using ie8?
personally I’ve never had any problems printing with firefox :S

http://twitter.com/codepo8 Christian Heilmann

Please tell us what is wrong and yes, do file a bug. Firefox is an open product and you can demand fixes. Our team works hard on building an awesome browser and blanket statements like that without any factual information don’t help anyone. I guess you are on XP – good luck with getting any fix for IE then in the future.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_265RXLWSQHFXNVJSILUMM5ODDQ Nick

A.. “critical printing bug”..?

I can now imagine you saying “I’m sorry, I can’t come outside and play, ladybugs bite.”

Mark S

Beyond the cash issues raised here, I think that there are folks at Google that have a real appreciation for the necessity of competition pushing the web and other players forward and trying to intentionally hurt Firefox/Mozilla would be bad for everyone.

http://twitter.com/InsuranceDose Insurance Dose

You make a very good point that Google needs Firefox as much if not more than Firefox needs Google. However, this is only true because Bing is in the game and is willing to spend huge amounts of money to take a relatively small amount of market share away from Google.

In any case like some other commenters here it would be nice if Mozilla used the money to make Firefox less of a memory hog.

Gian-Carlo Pascutto

Google (or Bing, haha) for “Mozilla MemShrink”. Mozilla seems to have hired quite a lot of new engineers lately, too.

Anonymous

They actually indeed did. Company size doubled and will quadruple soon. It still a small company compared to Google but they have spent the money where it matters to us, users. And it starts to show.

http://twitter.com/codepo8 Christian Heilmann

Yes, but let’s also not forget that Firefox is an open product and a lot of the great stuff in it comes from the community and not from people in-house. Giving them all the credit is not fair. It is a great success story for open source development. Chrome also benefits from this with the Chromium project and the work that already had been done to Webkit by Apple. Chrome is a great browser because it had the opportunity to learn from a lot of mistakes others had done. Competition is a great thing – if it is not destructive but to the benefit of the end user.

Anonymous

To be honest i’d like to see bing take off, its the only alternative to google and seriously, having no alternative is VERY bad. it means google can do whatever they please, set the rules, etc and trust me eventually they will. Everyone always do, no exception, ever, ever.

Chris Eaton

Oh Asa might do this? The same Asa who went out of his way to warn enterprise users away from Firefox? Yeah if that clown’s making the decisions I’m sure they’ll do something stupid.

How many FF users are going to be happy that Microsoft was chosen as the new default search? There will be an exodus of people just switching it back to Google.

Anonymous

it’s awesome to see how you identified Google’s Achilles Heel, brilliant. Now we can see how important Chrome is as a Google Business unit.

The Mozilla foundation most be the most valuable non-profit in the world. Too bad it’s not a corporation and you can’t buy shares in it, you Sebastian Anthony could have made millions in the markets by realizing all of this ahead of a lot of people.

You rock Sebastian Anthony.

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

*bows with a flourish*

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_KCGUCMIG24PHBVREIBH7K375QY Beta Code

Clearly it must be some kind of joke that Mozilla could want to discontinue their partnership with Google, or that Mozilla could decide to charge Google “anything it wants” and get away with it.

I think you give Mozillas position over Google far too much weight. The revenue generated from Firefox is not a drop in the hat, but it also is not something Google could not do without. Simply changing the default provider from Google to Bing will not stop 95% of the Internet population from using Google, just the people who are not smart enough to switch their default search provider to something else.

Remember, when Internet Explorer was on top and Firefox was nowhere to be seen, the greater portion of the Internet used Google. It wasn’t about being the default search engine, it was all about word of mouth. Google is ubiquitous now. People will be googling things well after Google is (if it is) dropped from the default search engine slot.

And if Mozilla does start getting most of their money from Microsoft, oh the wonderful irony that will be.

Bobby Leigh

Erm, I think you’re forgetting (or just don’t know) the reason Google created Chrome. It was not to put Internet Explorer or Firefox out of business. It was to spur innovation by competing. Google wanted other browsers to improve in areas they were mostly ignoring, so they set up their own competition to pressure them into improving those areas.

I’d say it has been working perfectly. Google has no reason to shrug off Firefox. This whole article is rather unnecessary.

http://twitter.com/codepo8 Christian Heilmann

^ bingo.

http://my.opera.com/rafaelluik Rafael

LOL, what innovation? Chrome brings nothing new in 200 versions.

Jay Koby

I don’t see Firefox switching to Bing as a viable possibility – partly because although some users (read: anyone who has Firefox installed *for* them) won’t care, but most people who install Firefox for themselves will either switch to Google, or use another search engine in the first place.

Never mind that Microsoft has their own browser (IE 9, anyone?), and would be hard-pressed to do anything to support Firefox or an alternative browser. (remember those nasty Netscape lawsuits from the First Browser Wars?)

http://twitter.com/codepo8 Christian Heilmann

To a degree. Microsoft wants to kill old IE installs and wants people to upgrade to the new IE. At the same time they discontinued support for Windows XP. So if you are stuck with XP (and soon Vista) and you want a new browser that shows all the cool new stuff we all call HTML5, you’ll need to switch to another browser. http://html5forxp.com

Anonymous

I’ve tried Bing and it’s no where near as accurate as google. It has some nice features but in search, accuracy is the most important. Bing’s only gaining market share because they’re literally BUYING it. I’d hate to see it become the default of firefox. Hopefully, though, Mozilla can triple the amount Google pays them.

Anonymous

My default search engine is DuckDuckGo. I use Firefox, and temporarily disabled JavaScript blocking to make this comment.

Anonymous

Where do you get the stat that Firefox is the biggest source of search traffic? I looked and didn’t see this.

We know (search for “Bing Users Are From Internet Explorer; Google Users From Firefox, Chrome & Safari”) that Firefox isn’t the browser most used by Google visitors who conduct searches, from another survey.

Assuming Firefox really is the biggest referrer, you still have major flaws in your argument, the assumption that if Firefox changed defaults, that…

1) People wouldn’t get upset and ask how to change, as happened with Verizon shifted Blackberry users to Bing

2) People wouldn’t just change themselves, because they like the Google habit.

3) People wouldn’t (and already) don’t just go to Google.com and search there, rather than from the toolbar.

Google spent, if I recall, on the order of 1 billion to be the default search provider for Dell computers then, when that renewed, walked away and left the deal to Microsoft. There was no collapse in Google’s search traffic, as a result.

I’m sure Google would like to keep the Firefox deal, but no, I don’t think Firefox is the power player.

There would also be some poetic justice if Microsoft didn’t want to do a deal with Firefox, considering how only until recently did Firefox even allow it to be a default search provider choice.

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

Heya, sorry about the slow reply.

I don’t have a definite source on Firefox being the biggest driver of search traffic. It’s the kind of information that Google (and Mozilla) would never disclose.

It’s just a guestimate, really, and backed by the opinions of some people with more knowledge of the matter than I.

I’d be curious as to how much Google’s traffic actually decreased when it walked away from the Dell deal — but really, it’s not on the same scale. Dell (back then?) shipped tens of millions of PCs per year. Firefox has some 450 million users.

I appreciate all three of your points, and they’re probably all true enough to some degree.

They certainly diminish the effect that Mozilla would cause by changing away from Google, but I think it’s important to note that we’re talking about a _huge_ number of users here. Even if only 1% of the worldwide market shifted away from Google, this would be a big change, and representative of hundreds of millions of lost dollars for Google.

Anonymous

Check on statcounter, you can see Firefox is the second browser in popularity after IE. It has 28% market share in the world browser comparison.

http://twitter.com/pceasy PC Easy

It’s probably not the biggest source of traffic for Google, but it has to be one of the biggest. I feel it would be in Google’s best interest to keep this deal going but with Bing now in the game Microsoft would be smart to try become the default search engine for Firefox. I would, however, change to google immediately as I am certain a large number of firefox users would too. But maybe 30 percent.

http://twitter.com/foxx1337 foxX 1337

So people installing Firefox instead of the default OS browser are SO DUMB that they can’t change the default search engine. Yep.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=616611770 Nathan Paul Prince

Bing is complete garbage – they’ve been stealing the exact links Google uses since they started… and their search results are crummy compared to Google. Bing will first list only those companies who give them royalties directly, then they will list sites that Google has extra.
If Mozilla starts using Bing, I’ll kick Firefox to the curb and find something else to do.
What a retard move – Bing… pffft. They should start a survey and ask us who we like instead. Bing is a welfare search engine compared to Google.

http://www.facebook.com/swapnil.bhartiya Swapnil Bhartiya

Looking at how Microsoft crushes competition. I would not want FF to replace Google. If it does I would bid good bye to FF. Long like Chrome.

http://my.opera.com/rafaelluik Rafael

But you could simply switch back. o.O

http://www.facebook.com/swapnil.bhartiya Swapnil Bhartiya

IE will use FF to boost traffic for Bing and then come back and crush Firefox. Microsoft has a killer’s touch. It destroys everything it touches – Novell (dead), Xandros (dead) Nokia (dying). Mozilla will face a HUGE blacklash from the concerned users if they switch to Bing.

Anonymous

so many people wanted to get rid of microsoft. now people are talking about destroying google. can’t people be happy for once with what we have. you forgot 1 thing about default search engines. your numbers do not include all of the firefox users that change default search engines. what if microsoft replaces google as the default search engine in firefox? Will people stop using firefox or will people switch the default search engine from microsoft to google?

Anonymous

This confirms my though this morning. So that is why they force me to the google search box instead of the previous browser bar.

Anonymous

This confirms my thought this morning, as to why I now am defaulted into google’s search bar instead of the mozilla browser bar up top.

Anonymous

Another way to think about it. Develop and implement a strategy to make Firefox independent over the next 1-3 years. Firefox being almost totally revenue dependent on one or two big sources is dangerous. And make no mistake when Firefox gets in the way of Microsoft or Google they will squash Firefox like a bug. I for one do not want to see that happen.

http://www.revthatup.com GAUTAM

bingle..hahaha..dats a gud one! :)

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

It’s actually an image that I originally used in a story that I wrote about Bing copying Google’s search results :) Figured it was too good to not re-use.

You know what? I hope Mozilla goes for Bing! As much as I detest Microsoft, Google’s dominance is unhealthy.

http://gondwanaland.com/mlog mlinksva

“Opera, which regularly holds an auction for its default search engine”

Where can I read more about that? Didn’t turn up anything with some obvious searches.

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

I don’t know if it’s publicized anywhere. It’s the reason that Opera’s search provider sometimes changes though — if someone offers more money.

Anonymous

goo.gl/YupBx

Anonymous

goo.gl/YupBx

http://twitter.com/JohnAnderson98 John Anderson

The break between Google and Mozilla is nascent. FF would not be accelerating version releases otherwise.

Robert Antwi

That was a really good and informative written!

http://twitter.com/dubob1234 Bob D

Do you think that IF mozilla keeps me from using Google for searching, that I will go to another browser? I am on the fence already due to the sluggish and quite often dead loading times – “I have a 24 core 3.3 gightz system and it acts like I have a 1.6 ght tablet. Other browsers do not seize up like the new FireFox!

So, go ahead, stop me from using my preferences. I know that all my computer guru friends will be dropping them like a hot ram stick the moment they choose to remove the customer from the equation.

Try the D.U.H test on this thought process! DUHHHHH!

http://twitter.com/dubob1234 Bob D

And an FYI for your general purpose users, I get home visit and phone assistance calls to fix these peoples browsers because their home page does not show up right because their search options have changed. Sorry, but Chrome will be their replacement browser when I get done. I don’t play games with those who think I want something I obviously don’t desire.

Anonymous

If Mozilla makes a deal with Microsoft, it’s sure to repel a number of open-source advocates (for whom Microsoft has always been the arch nemesis, threatening with lawsuits and using all sorts of anti-competitive tactics to make sure it comes out on top) — and open-source advocates are a big reason why Firefox is still alive. So, rather than bolster Microsoft, this might actually just sink Firefox and promote Chrome/ium.

I wouldn’t mind Mozilla making DuckDuckGo the default engine, but I don’t think that engine has the resources or even the motivation to pay for that.

Anonymous

If Mozilla makes a deal with Microsoft, it’s sure to repel a number of open-source advocates (for whom Microsoft has always been the arch nemesis, threatening with lawsuits and using all sorts of anti-competitive tactics to make sure it comes out on top) — and open-source advocates are a big reason why Firefox is still alive. So, rather than bolster Microsoft, this might actually just sink Firefox and promote Chrome/ium.

I wouldn’t mind Mozilla making DuckDuckGo the default engine, but I don’t think that engine has the resources or even the motivation to pay for that.

http://tweetphiladelphia.com Eric Van Buskirk

It’s hard to imagine Bing taking over Goog. But also try to imagine Apple computers market share in mobile or laptops just 10 years ago?

md.momtaj uddin

Bangla হলে কত ভাল হত ইংলিস জানলেও হতো

http://twitter.com/SmartMediaTechn Smart Media Tech

It is amazing that the Internet even functions at all for all that the companies understand about their users.

Sagor Mešković

Oh well, Chrome is just about the greatest browser at this point and Firefox is becoming the new IE. Also blame it on the smell factor as one of you already posted here.

http://www.facebook.com/mike.grosser.35 Mike Grosser

You can “Default” the web search browser to any damn thing you want, I’ll just change it to what I prefer, and millions of users will do the same. I suggest users are mindless sheep that will use what ever default browser pops up on there screen is pretty arrogant in my opinion.

Jamie

So far as I am concerned, in terms of quality of results, ixquick is the only real competitor search engine..

Black Pearl

This discussion is 2 years old and I am just passing by. But I’ve got a question here if anyone could clear that to me. Thank you.

Suppose we firefox users always use the google search within mozilla and refuse to use any other search engine. Now, what if Google refuses to pay mozilla because it is us who are using google voluntarily and google is not forcing us to do so? If firefox changes the search engine then we might switch to other browsers that offer google search. Plus its always possible to type in the address bar to get the search engine website. So, its actually google who always wins, right?

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